A 2012 video shows comments from new pope that disappoint LGBTQ activists
By COLLEEN BARRY DAVID CRARY and GIADA ZAMPANO VATICAN CITY AP Pope Leo XIV in remarks in when he was the Augustinian prior general in Chicago made comments critical of what he called the homosexual lifestyle and the role of mass media in promoting acceptance of same-sex relationships that conflicted with Catholic doctrine Related Articles You called me No you called ME Before US-China meeting nations each say the other sought talks UN agencies warn Israel plans for aid distribution endanger lives in Gaza Stockholm City Council rejects US Embassy demands to end DEI initiatives Achievement Day parade in Russia celebrates the th anniversary of the defeat of Nazi Germany Rights groups sue to free Venezuelans deported from the US and held in El Salvador Reports about the comments emerged after Thursday s voting process of U S Cardinal Robert Prevost to succeed Pope Francis he took the name Leo XIV The remarks were disappointing commented Francis DeBernardo of New Procedures Ministry a U S -based group that advocates for greater inclusion of LGBTQ Catholics in the church We pray that in the years that have passed of which were under the papacy of Pope Francis that his Leo s heart and mind have developed more progressively on LGBTQ issues and we will take a wait-and-see attitude to see if that has happened DeBernardo noted in a declaration A video provided to Catholic News Utility the news agency of the U S bishops conference featured Prevost s address to the world Synod of Bishops against the backdrop of images from popular TV series and movies Western mass media is extraordinarily effective in fostering within the general residents enormous sympathy for beliefs and practices that are at odds with the gospel for example abortion homosexual lifestyle euthanasia Prevost commented He singled out how alternative families comprised of same-sex partners and their adopted children are so benignly and sympathetically portrayed in television programs and cinema in the present day When he became a cardinal in Catholic News Amenity inquired him if his views had changed He acknowledged Pope Francis call for a more inclusive church saying Francis made it very clear that he doesn t want people to be excluded purely on the basis of choices that they make whether it be lifestyle work way to dress or whatever But he underlined that doctrine had not changed in line with Francis And people haven t explained yet that we re looking for that kind of change Prevost revealed But we are looking to be more welcoming and more open and to say all people are welcome in the church In his first remarks as pope on Thursday night Leo spoke about building bridges and God s love for all The Rev James Martin an American Jesuit who founded an LGBTQ outreach ministry reported such an invitation to inclusiveness and welcome was central and he considered the cardinals choice of Prevost brilliant FILE A populace blessing ceremony with hundreds of believers takes place in front of the Cologne Cathedral in Cologne Germany on Sept AP Photo Martin Meissner File He is humble reserved straightforward trustworthy I think he brings a wealth of experience not only from his long time in Peru working with the poor but also in the Vatican Martin mentioned It s rare to come in contact with someone who is genuinely humble and not pretending to be humble And he s the real deal And that really cemented my respect for him He dependably treated me with great respect dignity friendship He s a man of limited words and I ll say that when he talked people listened Francis more than any of his predecessors incrementally conveyed through his actions formal statements and occasional casual remarks that he needed the church to be a more welcoming place for LGBTQ people Yet his papacy ended with the same core doctrine for LGBTQ people that he inherited The Catholic Church still rejected same-sex marriage and condemned any sexual relations between gay or lesbian partners as intrinsically disordered The U S -based LGBTQ advocacy group GLAAD called on the new pontiff to build on the progress made by his predecessor The Roman Catholic Church stands on the threshold of a hopeful and inclusive new chapter With Pope Leo XIV s leadership there is an extraordinary opportunity to inspire billions around the world and further embrace LGBTQ people with compassion dignity and love GLADD president and CEO Sarah Kate Ellis reported in a message Crary informed from New York Barry disclosed from Soave Italy Nicole Winfield contributed Associated Press religion coverage receives aid through the AP s collaboration with The Conversation US with funding from Lilly Endowment Inc The AP is solely responsible for this content
